Right now, certain areas of the country are experiencing unprecedented low temperatures accompanied by power and other utility outages. On Thursday, one insurance company was so inundated with claims that their entire reporting website went down. When there’s no power to your pool pump, and the temperature drops unexpectedly low, your pipes can freeze and burst which means even after the cold spell is over your pump can’t recirculate the water to maintain proper chemistry and filtration.
According to Contra Costa Health Services, even after a short power outage, your pool could contain not only cloudy water, but could also have high levels of bacteria, a pH imbalance, and seriously inadequate sanitation.
So what do you do if you experience an extended power outage?
- Turn off the power breakers for the pool to prevent equipment from running when power comes back on. If the pipes are still frozen, you could burn out your pump or worse.
- Open all drain plugs, pump pot lids, and filter air bleed valves to help avoid pressure buildups should pipes start to freeze.
Once power has been restored, and temperatures normalize, you need to restart your pool in a safe and controlled manner.
- Remove the pool cover and check for debris. Use your skimmer to remove anything that a suction cleaner wouldn’t be able to handle.
- Close the drain plugs and valves you opened during the power outage.
- Inspect all of your pool equipment for cracks or other weather damage.
- Make sure your pump is turned off, then turn the power breakers back on, and prime the pool pump by adding water to the pot, replacing the lid, then turning the pool pump back on.
- Ensure your pump and filter are working properly, then let them run for an hour to begin the decontamination process.
- After that hour is up, do a water test, then rebalance your chemistry if necessary.
- If the power has been out for an extended period of time, you may need to super-chlorinate your pool (at least 10 ppm-free chlorine) to reduce bacteria and microorganisms.
- Reset the timers for your pump and other devices.
- Give the walls and floor of your pool at least one round of circulation with a pool cleaner.
Finally, remember that Marina Pool, Spa and Patio is here for you if you have questions, and we’ll always have the best pricing on replacement equipment should you need it.